Christmas Eve special about Reading's poverty to be on CBS

Reading and its struggles with poverty will be the Christmas story this year on CBS.

The network has asked Odyssey Networks, a multifaith media coalition, to produce an hourlong special to be broadcast on Christmas Eve, said the Rev. Eric Shafer, Odyssey senior vice president and a Berks native.

"We've decided to come to Reading to tell 'One Christmas Story: People Rich in Spirit,' " he said. "The special will rejoice in the true spirit of Christmas through the words of the Gospel, glorious choral music and the unique character of the community in Reading."

Shafer said the Collegiate Churches of New York City have already given a $50,000 grant toward the television production and plan to award an additional $50,000 to help fight poverty in the city.

With 41.3 percent of its residents living in poverty, Reading has a larger percentage of residents in poverty than any other U.S. city with 65,000 or more people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

After Reading received the poverty designation in September, Odyssey Networks produced its own programming that focused on local faith in action and a community helping those in need.

The coverage grabbed the attention of CBS executives, who asked if Odyssey was interested in the Christmas Eve slot to broadcast the story, Shafer said.

" 'One Christmas Story' will be a joyous celebration of Christmas, making the story of the birth of Christ immediate and relevant to the world today, and will tell the larger story of the many people of different Christian faith traditions who are bringing hope to Reading," Shafer said.